Requirements to Apply
All candidates considered for admission to the LMU-CVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program must meet the following requirements.
Minimum Academic Requirements
- At least 46 semester or 62 quarter units from a regionally accredited college or university.
- If a student intends to practice in the state of New York, they require at least 60 semester units.
- Minimum overall 2.8 GPA, or higher in all coursework as calculated by VMCAS.
- Students not meeting this criterion (with a GPA of < 2.8), who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence in the last 2 years of study (most recent 40 semester hours), may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- GRE scores are not required and will not be considered. Instead, LMU-CVM requires the Casper Assessment.
Pre-Requisite Coursework
In order to fulfill the prerequisite, the coursework must meet the following criteria:
- Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university
- Courses must be completed with a grade of a "C-" or higher. Final grades for all prerequisite courses must be verified by LMU-CVM.
- Courses for all science prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years of application. Science prerequisites include: Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Advanced Science Electives, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics, and Anatomy and/or Physiology
In Progress or Planned Courses: Prerequisite courses can be "in progress" or "planned" at the time you submit your application; however, official transcripts reflecting successful completion of those prerequisites must be submitted to LMU by the published deadlines. Failure to complete any prerequisite courses marked as in progress or planned may result in forfeiture of a seat in the program.
Advanced Placement (AP) credits: AP credits will be accepted for pre-requisite courses if they appear on an official college transcript with the subject and number of credits received and are equivalent to the appropriate college-level coursework. A generic listing of "AP credit" or "transfer credit" without the specific subject and number of credits will not be accepted.
| LMU-CVM Prerequisite |
Semester Units |
Quarter Units |
Description |
| Biology |
8 |
12 |
General biology series; Lecture & lab |
| Genetics |
3 |
4 |
Lecture; Animal Breeding/Reproduction courses must be approved on a case-by-case basis* |
| Biochemistry |
3 |
4 |
Lecture |
| Advanced Science Electives |
8 |
12 |
Lecture
Courses must be 300 level or higherExamples may include Anatomy, Cell Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, or Virology, depending on your school's course numbering. |
| Organic Chemistry |
3 |
5 |
Lecture & lab |
| General Chemistry |
6 |
9 |
2-course sequential series of lecture & lab |
| Physics |
3 |
4 |
Lecture (Algebra or calculus-based acceptable) |
| Anatomy and/or Physiology** |
3 |
4 |
Lecture and Lab |
| English |
3 |
4 |
|
| Social Sciences |
3 |
4 |
Potential courses include but are not limited to: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Philosophy, Political Science or Sociology. Also included: Ethics, Critical Thinking, Social Responsibility, One Health, & Human-Animal Bond |
| Minimum |
43 |
62 |
|
*To verify if an Animal Breeding/Reproduction course satisfies the Genetics prerequisite, send an email with the course description to VeterinaryAdmissions@LMUnet.edu.
**Starting the 2027 VMCAS application cycle, 3 credits of Anatomy and 3 credits of Physiology will be required.
LMU Supplemental Application
Applicants must complete the LMU-CVM Supplemental Application using LMU's online application site. In the supplemental application, applicants must agree that they meet the technical standards and essential functions in order to enter the DVM program.
Technical Standards & Essential Functions
The technical standards and essential functions established by the faculty require that all candidates possess the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities necessary to complete all required aspects of the curriculum and are, therefore, requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation.
Click here to view the LMU-CVM Technical Standards & Essential Functions
Casper
All applicants applying to the LMU-CVM are required to complete the Casper exam facilitated by Altus Assessments.
Casper is a 65-85 minute online, open-response situational judgment test. This online assessment measures different competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. The Casper exam will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Casper, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
View Casper testing dates
Please note that Snapshot and Duet ARE NOT required by the LMU-CVM.
Other Materials
Transcripts
Official transcripts for all courses completed through summer must be submitted directly to VMCAS. If you need additional information, read more about the VMCAS transcript verification process. Coursework completed after the September 15 deadline must be reported via official transcript submission to the LMU-CVM by the dates noted above.
Updated official electronic transcripts can be sent to CVMTranscripts@LMUnet.edu.
Official updated transcripts can be physically mailed to the following address:
LMU-CVM Office of Admissions
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate, TN 37752
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants to the LMU-CVM are required to submit three letters of recommendation through VMCAS. A letter must be submitted from each of the three parties noted below:
- 1 letter from a college professor
- 1 letter from a veterinarian
- 1 letter from a previous or current employer/supervisor
Letters of recommendation must be completed by individuals other than family members and articulately attest to an applicant’s capacities. Specific details on the (electronic letters of recommendation) process can be found on the VMCAS website. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the VMCAS application. Letters sent directly to LMU-CVM will not be accepted.
